The Simi Chipotle, located in Simi Valley at 1263 Simi Town Center Way, Simi Valley, CA 93063, has reopened after being compelled to close for cleaning. It also threw out the food on-hand, and brought in new food prior to reopening out of an abundance of caution, especially since investigators have yet to determine what pathogen they are dealing with. The restaurant owners, in consultation with the Ventura County Health Department (VCHD), decided to make sure the as-yet-undetermined pathogen would not resurface. New reports put the number of victims, who ate at the Simi Chipotle between Monday and Thursday last week, at about 115, with at least 17 employees having to go home sick. This estimate is preliminary, however, and likely to rise as more victims come forward.
The VCHD, which is leading the investigation, is still trying to determine what happened. According to one VCHD investigator, there are at least three pending stool tests – the results should be back today. But identifying the pathogen is only the first step. Investigators also want to know how it was introduced into the restaurant, and how pervasive were the break downs in proper food safety. Investigators will be looking at food sourcing, the food preparation practices, general food handling, and sanitation at the Simi Chipotle, as well as the Simi Chipotle track-record with regards to health inspections.
Grace Bretheren School Children Among the Many Victims
Among the many victims, there are reports that more than a dozen are students, faculty and/or family members of the Grace Brethren schools, which have a number of campuses in Simi Valley.
Chipotle Health Code Violations at the Simi Valley Chipotle since May of this year:
August 24, 2015 violations included:
FOOD HANDLERS EMPLOYED AT THIS FACILITY DO NOT POSSESS A VALID FOOD HANDLER CARD AND/OR RECORDS DOCUMENTING THAT FOOD EMPLOYEES POSSESS A VALID FOOD HANDLER CARD ARE NOT MAINTAINED BY THE FOOD FACILITY FOR REVIEW AS REQUIRED.
EQUIPMENT IS CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE SEWER.
FLYING INSECTS OBSERVED WITHIN THE FOOD FACILITY.
EQUIPMENT OR UTENSILS ARE NOT CLEAN, FULLY OPERATIVE AND IN GOOD REPAIR.
THE PREMISES AND/OR FLOORS, WALLS, OR CEILING ARE IN AN UNSANITARY CONDITION.
THE RESTROOM IS UNCLEAN OR IN DISREPAIR.
WALL AND/OR CEILING SURFACES ARE DETERIORATED AND/OR DAMAGED.
June 8, 2015 violations included:
THE FLOOR IS DETERIORATED AND/OR DAMAGED AND NO LONGER SMOOTH, DURABLE AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
THE RESTROOM IS UNCLEAN OR IN DISREPAIR.
FLYING INSECTS OBSERVED WITHIN THE FOOD FACILITY.
VIOLATIONS OBSERVED ON PREVIOUS INSPECTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN CORRECTED.
A 3/8 INCH COVED BASE IS NOT PROVIDED AT THE FLOOR/WALL JUNCTURE.
May 21, 2015 violations included:
EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS ARE NOT MAINTAINED CLEAN, FULLY OPERATIVE AND IN GOOD REPAIR.
FLYING INSECTS OBSERVED WITHIN THE FOOD FACILITY.
THE RESTROOM IS UNCLEAN OR IN DISREPAIR.
THE FLOOR IS DETERIORATED AND/OR DAMAGED AND NO LONGER SMOOTH, DURABLE AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
THE PREMISES AND/OR FLOORS, WALLS, OR CEILING ARE IN AN UNSANITARY CONDITION.
For more information in this or any other food borne illness outbreak, call the food poisoning lawyers at Ron Simon & Associates at 1-888-335-4901.
